Leeds v Middlesbrough preview

Team news for Saturday's Championship clash between Leeds and Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

Last Updated: 12/08/11 at 13:30   

Emnes: Marvellous Marvin in the goals

Emnes: Marvellous Marvin in the goals

Leeds manager Simon Grayson hopes to have wingers Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel back in contention for the home clash with Middlesbrough.

Snodgrass scored his first international goal as Scotland beat Denmark 2-1 in a midweek friendly while Gradel played the full 90 minutes in the Ivory Coast's 4-3 victory over Israel.

Both players came through unscathed but Grayson wants to assess their fitness before making any decisions.

Grayson has no new injury or suspension problems but was without striker Billy Paynter in the midweek Carling Cup win over Bradford.

Paynter sustained a thigh strain in the opening-day defeat at Southampton and left Grayson short of forwards, with Luciano Becchio (hamstring) not ready to return and Davide Somma a long-term absentee due to cruciate knee ligament damage.

Middlesbrough quartet Scott McDonald, Rhys Williams, Barry Robson and Tarmo Kink are expected to be back in contention for the clash at Leeds.

All four players were away on international duty this week and missed the Carling Cup win at Walsall.

Australia striker McDonald, Wales defender Williams and Scotland midfielder Robson started in the opening-day draw with Portsmouth, while Estonia forward Kink was on the substitutes' bench.

Manager Tony Mowbray is hoping the club can finalise contract talks with Julio Arca in time for the Argentinian to take his place in the squad, but latest signing Faris Haroun will not be in contention.

Belgium international midfielder Haroun is expected to complete all the paperwork and seal his move to the Riverside over the weekend.

Defender Matthew Bates will retain the captain's armband despite continued speculation linking him with a move to Swansea.

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npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

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